Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An information processing device to be connected to an odor presentation device that presents an odor to a user, the information processing device comprising: a spatial odor information acquisition section that acquires spatial odor information indicative of an odor in a reproduction target space; an odor control section that instructs, by using the spatial odor information, the odor presentation device to present to the user an odor assumably perceivable in the reproduction target space, wherein the spatial odor information associates a viewing direction from a reference position in the reproduction target space with an odor assumably perceivable in the viewing direction; and an identification section that identifies an attention direction in which the user pays attention within the reproduction target space, wherein the odor control section determines, based on the spatial odor information and the identified attention direction, the odor to be presented to the user.
2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the spatial odor information acquisition section further acquires a spatial image depicting a scene in the reproduction target space, and the information processing device further includes an image display control section that displays, based on the spatial image, an image depicting a scene in the identified attention direction.
This invention relates to an information processing device for enhancing spatial odor reproduction by integrating visual and olfactory cues. The device addresses the challenge of effectively conveying spatial odor information in a way that aligns with a user's visual perception, improving immersion in virtual or augmented reality environments. The device includes a spatial odor information acquisition section that captures odor data from a target space, along with a spatial image depicting the scene in that space. The device also identifies an attention direction, which represents the user's current focus within the environment. An image display control section then renders an image based on the spatial image, specifically highlighting the scene in the identified attention direction. This ensures that the displayed visuals correspond to the odors being reproduced, creating a synchronized sensory experience. Additionally, the device may include an odor reproduction control section that adjusts odor reproduction based on the attention direction, ensuring that the emitted odors align with the user's visual focus. This coordination between visual and olfactory feedback enhances realism and user engagement in applications such as virtual reality, gaming, or training simulations. The system may also incorporate user input to dynamically update the attention direction, allowing for real-time adaptation to the user's movements or interactions.
3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reproduction target space is a real space, and the spatial odor information indicates the type and/or intensity of an odor measured by an odor sensor installed at a reference position in the real space.
This invention relates to an information processing device for reproducing spatial odor information in a real environment. The device addresses the challenge of accurately recreating or simulating odors in a physical space based on sensor data, enabling applications in virtual reality, environmental monitoring, or odor-based navigation. The device includes an odor sensor installed at a reference position in the real space to measure the type and intensity of odors. The sensor data is processed to generate spatial odor information, which represents the odor characteristics at specific locations. The device then reproduces the odor in the target space by controlling an odor output device, such as a diffuser or emitter, to release the detected odor at the appropriate intensity. This allows users to experience or analyze odors in a controlled manner, such as recreating a specific environment or detecting air quality issues. The system may also include a mapping module to correlate odor data with spatial coordinates, ensuring accurate reproduction across different locations. The device can be used in various scenarios, including virtual reality simulations, industrial safety monitoring, or personalized fragrance environments. By integrating odor sensing and controlled output, the invention provides a novel approach to spatial odor reproduction.
4. A method for controlling an odor presentation device that presents an odor to a user, the method comprising: acquiring spatial odor information indicative of an odor in a reproduction target space; instructing, by using the spatial odor information, the odor presentation device to present to the user an odor assumably perceivable in the reproduction target space; associating a viewing direction from a reference position in the reproduction target space with an odor assumably perceivable in the viewing direction; identifying an attention direction in which the user pays attention within the reproduction target space, and wherein the odor control section determines, based on the spatial odor information and the identified attention direction, the odor to be presented to the user.
This invention relates to systems for controlling odor presentation devices that simulate or reproduce odors in a target space, such as a virtual or augmented reality environment. The problem addressed is the lack of dynamic odor control based on a user's attention or viewing direction, which can lead to mismatches between perceived visual and olfactory cues. The method involves acquiring spatial odor information that maps odors to specific locations within the reproduction target space. Using this data, the system instructs an odor presentation device to emit an odor that corresponds to the direction in which the user is looking or paying attention. The system associates viewing directions from a reference position in the space with specific odors, ensuring that the emitted odor aligns with the user's current focus. By identifying the user's attention direction—whether through gaze tracking, head movement, or other means—the system dynamically adjusts the odor output to match the spatial odor information, enhancing immersion and realism. This approach ensures that the user perceives odors that are contextually relevant to their current viewpoint, improving the overall sensory experience.
5. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for controlling an odor presentation device that presents an odor to a user, the program comprising: by an acquisition section, acquiring spatial odor information indicative of an odor in a reproduction target space; by an odor control section, instructing, by using the spatial odor information, the odor presentation device to present to the user an odor assumably perceivable in the reproduction target space; wherein the spatial odor information associates a viewing direction from a reference position in the reproduction target space with an odor assumably perceivable in the viewing direction; and by an identification section, identifying an attention direction in which the user pays attention within the reproduction target space, wherein the odor control section determines, based on the spatial odor information and the identified attention direction, the odor to be presented to the user.
This invention relates to a system for controlling an odor presentation device that dynamically presents odors to a user based on their attention direction within a virtual or physical space. The technology addresses the challenge of creating immersive olfactory experiences by synchronizing odor output with a user's focus, enhancing realism in applications like virtual reality, gaming, or environmental simulations. The system includes a computer-readable program that acquires spatial odor information, which maps specific odors to different viewing directions from a reference position in a target space. For example, a virtual environment may associate distinct scents with different areas or objects. An identification section tracks the user's attention direction, such as their gaze or head orientation, within the space. The odor control section then selects and instructs the odor presentation device to release the odor corresponding to the identified direction, ensuring the scent aligns with what the user is observing. This dynamic adjustment creates a more realistic and contextually accurate olfactory experience. The system may also include additional components, such as a section to generate or modify spatial odor information based on environmental data or user preferences. The odor presentation device could be a wearable or room-based system capable of emitting multiple scents. This approach improves immersion by linking olfactory cues to visual focus, addressing limitations in static or non-directional scent delivery.
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January 14, 2020
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